Day 96 - Alness to Tain - 17.1 miles
Having mislaid my mojo for a few days, I woke, galvanized for action.
With a change of shoes from boots to trainers, I'm "On the road again" - Canned Heat or Willie Nelson's version. Try walking to either or both. Magic!!!
I walked out of Alness and headed inland to find a road quieter than the busy A9 and walked through pleasant famland.
When planning the walk I hadn't pictured what this stretch would be like. I certainly hadn't expected such lush, rich rolling arable land.
A few evenings ago, when I'd looked out from my gypsy caravan, I hadn't been aware that a few miles further along the coast there's Invergordon - a cruise terminal and parking ground for gas drilling platforms....lots of them.
I assumed that the calm shelter of Cromarty Firth is ideal for the maintenance of these immense things. They seem to be from all corners of the globe.
With a change of shoes from boots to trainers, I'm "On the road again" - Canned Heat or Willie Nelson's version. Try walking to either or both. Magic!!!
I walked out of Alness and headed inland to find a road quieter than the busy A9 and walked through pleasant famland.
When planning the walk I hadn't pictured what this stretch would be like. I certainly hadn't expected such lush, rich rolling arable land.
A few evenings ago, when I'd looked out from my gypsy caravan, I hadn't been aware that a few miles further along the coast there's Invergordon - a cruise terminal and parking ground for gas drilling platforms....lots of them.
Along the way, I met no fellow walkers but plenty of German / Scandinavian cycling groups from the cruise ships at Invergordon.
First, a group on electric bikes
Then, two others pedalling like crazy to keep up!!
Some low flying jets woke the cockerell at Dean's eggs, Lower Dalnaclach. From the sound of things, he soon went back to snoozing!
At Marybank, I met Joan who was loading her car to go to Aberdeen for her grandson's graduation. He's just succesfully completed his part 3s in Architecture at Robert Gordon University.
Some low flying jets woke the cockerell at Dean's eggs, Lower Dalnaclach. From the sound of things, he soon went back to snoozing!
At Marybank, I met Joan who was loading her car to go to Aberdeen for her grandson's graduation. He's just succesfully completed his part 3s in Architecture at Robert Gordon University.
Joan, a retired nurse keeps 70 Beltex sheep on her 30 acre croft and also has cattle but those have been loaned to friends on a croft further north where they're needing to improve the soil.
We had a good chat about current affairs, the Tory leadership candidates, Indyref 2, Brexit, local house price escalation and Bonny Prince Charlie roses - one of which Joan has growing around the front door of her house.
We had a good chat about current affairs, the Tory leadership candidates, Indyref 2, Brexit, local house price escalation and Bonny Prince Charlie roses - one of which Joan has growing around the front door of her house.
Apparently, historically the Jacobites would have used these roses to help identify a 'safe house'.
While we were talking, there was a constant background roar of the fighter jets flying over. Joan said this has always been a training area for the RAF.
Having made good progress 'til now, I pressed on.
Having made good progress 'til now, I pressed on.
I passed what I think is vetch
and Honeysuckle.
The flies in Lamington Park were the worst I've experienced since Lands End. These weren't midges but annoyingly attentive houseflies... perhaps I need to catch up with my washing!?. Images of Schulz's Pig Pen spring to mind.
I'd phoned ahead and booked a tour of the Glenmorangie distillery. So, after I'd dropped my stuff at the hotel in Tain I headed off, walking along the A9 - no pavement.
The distillery is out of town and involved walking along the A9. ( or the busy A9 as it always seems to be referred to). Watch out for the wing-mirrors was the advice I had from the hotel at Alness. There isn't a pavement so if I wanted to see the Glenmorangie distillery, I'd have to take my chance with the devil!!! As did numerous others by the look of it.
I wasn't allowed to take photographs inside
After the tasting, back to Tain.
Tain Picture House - it looks like efforts are underway to salvage the building which will otherwise fall out of use and into disrepair.
Tain Tolbooth and Sheriff's court which had a colourful history involving.....Cromwell and the Jacobites.
A full day.
A full day.
Total distance walked so far = 1173.2 miles
Total ascent so far = 132 512 feet
If you'd like to leave a comment, correct me on any detail or just nudge, it'd be great to hear from you. If initially it comes up as Anonymous, please just add your name at the bottom so I can see who it's from.
email: david.LL.thomas@gmail.com
mob: 07850109100
If you'd like to contribute to any or all of the three great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.
- Parkinsons UK - My dad had Parkinsons in his latter years and the research work this charity funds and the support it provides to patients and their families is invaluable. - https://www.justgiving.com/
- Just Wheels UK - this is a small charity set up to provide wheelchairs in a rural community in Tanzania. It does this through funding training, education and the local fabrication and servicing of bespoke wheelchairs. My nephew uses a wheelchair and as he grows I can see the life changing freedoms that proper wheelchairs can bring to both users and their families.-
- RNLI - these are the brave guys who selflessly head out to sea to help others. I volunteer at Littlehampton RNLI shop and often meet families of those who’ve had first hand experience of their loved ones being saved from the sea. Having sailed for years I can say thankfully we’ve never had to call on the RNLI's services but it’s amazing what it does to know they are there
You have met so many friendly people among the way. I thought of this when you chatted with the grandmother loading her car for a drive to Aberdeen. But I’m curious — have you met with a poor reception very often? I’ve noticed hikers are almost never unpleasant.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike. That's a great philosophical question. It's the dead-ball line! Perhaps we all develop our own inate sense of when something is worth chasing or worth leaving!?
DeleteYou've asked so many good questions...you've just have to come across soon! We'll look forward to seeing you.
So glad you’ve got your mojo back David - it was never going to be far away! What an achievement so far and not much further now! Sending much encouragement and love x
ReplyDeleteHi Jill. You're right! Mojo never far away. I hope you're both enjoying the islands. Havn't we been lucky with the weather!?!?
DeleteHi David, Chris here , so enjoying your journal, you should think about publishing.
ReplyDeleteHaving a heat wave here, the crew had a shout yesterday and our B-class Renee Sherman was launched at high speed. Luckily high tide. Very impressive.
Sorry to hear about your “bluster” friend, if you will do these walks!
Take care, God speed Chris
Hi Chris. Glad to hear it was high tide and to read since that all rescues were 100% succesful.
Delete